California Death Index 1940-1997 - FamilySearch Historical Records (2024)

What is in This Collection?[edit | edit source]

This collection consists of a name index of death records for the years 1940 to 1997. The index was created by the California Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Section in Sacramento.

Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

Index and Image Visibility[edit | edit source]

Whenever possible FamilySearch makes images and indexes available for all users. However, rights to view these data are limited by contract and subject to change. Because of this there may be limitations on where and how images and indexes are available or who can see them. Please be aware some collections consist only of partial information indexed from the records and do not contain any images. For additional information about image restrictions see Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections.

What Can These Records Tell Me?[edit | edit source]

The following information may be found in these records:

Death Index

• Name
• Sex
• Date and place of birth
• Date and place of death
• Father's last name
• Mother's maiden name

How Do I Search This Collection?[edit | edit source]

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

• The name of your ancestor
• The date and place of death

Search the Index[edit | edit source]

Search by name on the Collection Details Page.

1. Fill in the search boxes in the Search Collection section with the information you know
2. Click Search to show possible matches

How Do I Analyze the Results?[edit | edit source]

Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?[edit | edit source]

If these are indexes, the original records may contain additional information than was not indexed, or the information might have been indexed incorrectly. You may want to search for the original record at the California Department of Public Health.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]

• Add any new information to your records
• Use the age or estimated birth date to find other vital records such as birth, baptism, marriage, and death records
• Search for death or burial information in BillionGraves Index
• Search for an obituary or cemetery record
• Use census records to search for other family members

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]

• If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
• If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching a nearby locality
• Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
• Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps[edit | edit source]

The following articles will help you research your family in the state of California.

• California Guided Research
• California Research Tips and Strategies
• Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1905 | 1905-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections[edit | edit source]

These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog[edit | edit source]

• California death indexes on CD
• California death indexes, 1905-1988; 1940-1994

FamilySearch Historical Records[edit | edit source]

• California Death Index, 1905-1939
• California Deaths and Burials, 1776-2000
• California Cemetery Transcriptions, 1850-1960

FamilySearch Digital Library[edit | edit source]

Citing This Collection[edit | edit source]

Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Collection Citation:
The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Cite This Collection.

Record Citation:
When looking at a record, the citation can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow next to Document Information.